A perfect start to the day ~

Every morning is a little different for me depending on what I have lined up for the day, but my perfect morning starts with...

 

a few minutes of yoga - sun salutations to limber up, clear my mind, and give me an energy boost.

Then out for my morning walk. I always try to get in at least two miles. Walking every day is the basis for all of the other fitness activities I enjoy. A daily walk is so important for good health and it is so easy to do. You don't need a gym or any equipment other than good shoes and it can be a time  to get in a little meditation or listen to a book or music. I like to listen to Coffee Break French podcasts.

Then coming home to Miss Twiggley and a simple breakfast, always with a pot of freshly brewed tea, soft music, I favor Mozart in the early hours of the day, and something else very important - the Los Angeles Times crossword puzzle, I feel very deprived if I don't get to do the puzzle.

Everybody has their own routine but for me this is a blissful way to start the day.

It is the simple things in life that make it so enjoyable don't you think?

I hope that your life is full of lovely mornings

Thank you for visiting.

The last flush of bloom ~

 In our temperate climate which grows warmer each year, although it is supposed to be winter, roses are still blooming. Because of the somewhat cooler temperatures the roses although not so abundant are even lovelier now. This however is the time to prune roses in Southern California so it must be done, but it is difficult to cut back a bush lush with flowers and buds.

 

I take a bucket of water into the garden and as I prune I put the cut roses into the bucket, when I am finished work I have flowers for some of the most beautiful bouquets of the year.

I love this picture, I think I will use it in a greeting card. Don't you think it would be pretty?

The majority of roses in my garden are pink, in a variety of shades. The bushes I pruned on this day were old rose varieties, mostly Tea roses. As you can see they have the multi-petaled flowers and form of many Austin roses, but seem to perform better for me. Unlike Hybrid Teas which like being severely cut back, these roses are pruned lightly, more of a gentle shaping and removal of any deadwood.

I haven't finished pruning but last week on a trip to Home Depot to pick up chicken manure I was pleased to find some really nice roses. Nothing exotic, or special, but some old standbys that I think will be successful in my garden.

So, here are some of the new girls, I can hardly wait to get them in!

 I hope you have a 'rosy' day.

Thank you for visiting.

A big mess ~

December is the one month of the year that I put all gardening thoughts and work aside.  I just don't have the time or energy to spend time working in the garden and also enjoy the all the holiday preparations and activities.

But in January, well that's when all of my neglect becomes very obvious. The garden is a mess!

Such a mess that it almost seems impossible that I

 will ever be able to get things back in shape.

It is hard to believe that this is how this part of the garden looked just a few months ago.

But I try not to get too discouraged.

 My plan as usual, is to start in one place, clean-up, prune, lay down chicken manure, maybe plant some some seasonal annuals,and then move on to another area. With diligence and persistence this seems to work.

And then I can spend time doing something I love, picking out new

ROSES!

I hope that your new year is going well with lots of plans and adventures ahead.

Thank you for visiting.

Adrienne